Aston Villa looks to be headed for another season of struggle in the English Premier League following a summer which exposed the turmoil and uncertainly surrounding the cash-strapped Midlands club.
American businessman Randy Lerner's failure to find a buyer after putting Villa up for sale in May has impacted offseason transfer activity, with the incoming players - including former England midfielder Joe Cole and Switzerland defender Philippe Senderos - being free agents or cheap buys.
Villa hasn't replaced departed chief executive Paul Faulkner and manager Paul Lambert is under pressure to avoid a fifth straight season battling against relegation.
Despite the arrival of Cole and Senderos, Lambert will put his faith in young, mostly unheralded youngsters to keep Villa up, which has been his policy for the first two years of his tenure. Midfielder Fabian Delph is the most promising of the young players.
Share
